SRPSKA CAN ASK ISRAEL FOR JOINT ACTION AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

JERUSALEM, JANUARY 29 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska has a friend in Israel whom it can ask for joint action at the international level, especially toward the new US administration, said SNSD leader Milorad Dodik.

"It is not difficult for us to understand each other here. We have friends here, we can present our arguments and ask for joint action at the international level, especially toward the new US administration, and in that regard build an entirely new approach that will strengthen our partnership and joint activities," Dodik said.

He reiterated that today's meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in Jerusalem was yet another confirmation of the sincere friendship between Republika Srpska and Israel.

He said that they discussed the security challenges facing the Serbian and Jewish peoples, as well as the need to preserve the truth about history and suffering from oblivion and misuse.

"Together, we emphasized the importance of combating anti-Semitism and every form of extremism that threatens peace and the freedom of peoples," Dodik said, adding that they noted the almost identical history of suffering of the two peoples, including in the present moment.

He noted that whenever Republika Srpska seeks to defend its identity and the justice it has gained, it is immediately subjected to attacks.

Dodik said that the Serbian and Jewish peoples understand one another because they know how dearly freedom has been paid for and how important it is to defend the right to survival.

He added that the European Union was also discussed.

"One day, the EU will have to face the fact that we are partners. We are not in favor of undermining peace in BiH, but neither do we accept having all the rights guaranteed to us by the Dayton Peace Agreement taken away," Dodik told reporters.

He stated that the army, border police, and intelligence service would have to be returned to Republika Srpska, and that courts at the level of BiH should be abolished, as these are now courts that try only Christians in BiH.

"I believe the truth is breaking through," Dodik assessed.

He expressed confidence that an increasing number of Israeli businesspeople would come to Republika Srpska and open new facilities.

"They should feel safe with us, because we have never had a single case of anti-Semitism. Republika Srpska commemorates equally the suffering of both the Serbian and Jewish peoples at Jasenovac and other sites of mass atrocities," Dodik said.

He reiterated that he was among friends in Israel, noting that this was demonstrated at every step, including the display of the flags of Republika Srpska.

He said they were proud to have received top-level reception during their stay in Israel.

Dodik said that he will be in Budapest in two days, where he is scheduled to meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

In addition to Dodik and Republika Srpska Acting President Ana Trišić-Babić, the Republika Srpska delegation in Israel also includes a Serb member of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Radovan Kovačević.